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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
County board actions
The board approved a contract to begin design of the proposed regional medical examiner's facility; appointed a new director of community corrections and rehabilitation; approved an initial design for Hennepin County Library - Hosmer; approved an agreement that will advance commercial clean energy; and more.
 Design begins for regional medical examiner's facility
The board approved a contract for initial
design of a new regional medical examiner’s facility, anticipated to open as
early as 2020 in Minnetonka.
At 69,000 square feet, the proposed facility
would be considerably larger than the current building, located in downtown
Minneapolis near the Hennepin County Medical Center. It would be located on
county property next to the County Home School and near Interstate 494 and
County Road 62.
A larger, improved facility would equip staff
to handle growing case volumes and help train, recruit and retain the most
qualified forensic science professionals. The Hennepin County Medical
Examiner’s Office is the largest in the state, providing services for deaths
that occur in Hennepin, Dakota and Scott counties.
Hennepin County is seeking $26.2 million in state
bonding for the $57.8
million project, which may begin construction as early as August 2019. Hennepin
County will enter into a $755,498 contract with Leo A Daly Company to complete
this first phase of design work.
Read more about this project.
Read
more about this action.
The board appointed Catherine Johnson as
director of Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and
Rehabilitation, effective early December. She succeeds Chet Cooper in this
position, who began his new role as assistant county administrator and chief operating officer in
September. Johnson brings 22 years of leadership experience with the
Minneapolis Police Department to this position. She most recently served as
inspector of the department's 3rd Precinct in south Minneapolis and previously
served as a division commander. In addition, Johnson currently co-chairs
the Hennepin County Adult Detention Initiative, an effort to reduce disparities
within the criminal justice system.
Read more about this appointment.
The board approved
an initial design for renovations of the Hennepin County Library – Hosmer in
the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis. As part of this action, the board also
approved a contract to continue design work and authorized staff to issue a request
for proposals for construction. Renovations will begin in
spring 2018 and cost an estimated $4.4 million. The library will close for
several months and reopen by the end of 2018. Upgrades will include
improved access to library services, new furnishings and increased access to technology.
Read
more about the project.
Read
more about this action.
The board approved an agreement
with the St. Paul Port Authority that will advance commercial and industrial
energy efficiency and renewable energy projects throughout the county. On behalf of cities and to assist property owners, Hennepin County will
apply property tax assessments on commercial properties that participate in
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. Facilitated by the Port
Authority, this program helps commercial properties overcome financial
challenges to making energy-saving and clean energy upgrades.This agreement allows financing
to remain in place following property sales, ensuring property owners pay for
the portion of projects from which they benefit.
Read
more about this agreement.
The board accepted renewed grant funding to
help link people who are at high risk to return to jail with services in the
community. This action will continue to fund a position for the integrated
access team, a group that works with people who have significant mental health
and chemical dependency issues. This multidisciplinary group of social workers,
chemical health counselors, housing specialists and community health staff work
with Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office staff and medical staff at the jail.
Learn more about the
county's justice behavioral health initiatives.
Learn
more about this action.
The board accepted a $280,000 Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant to provide client assistance and employ two advocates who will serve African-American crime victims. These advocates recently joined the victim services division of the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. Advocates support victims by providing case updates, explaining court procedures, answering questions, making referrals and offering other forms of assistance.
Read more about the victim services divsion.
Read more about this grant funding.
The Hennepin County Medical
Examiner's office recently received national recognition for identifying a
powerful opioid, carfentanil, as the cause of multiple overdose-related deaths.
Assistant Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Rebecca Wilcoxon accepted the Susan P. Baker
Public Health Impact Award last week at the National Association of Medical
Examiner’s annual scientific meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. Earlier this year,
the Medical Examiner's Office identified the drug as the cause of 11
overdose-related deaths — and worked with agencies at all levels to organize a
public health response. Carfentanil, a drug 100 times more potent than the
already dangerous fentanyl, cannot yet be detected using routine toxicology
tests.
Public works
Tuesday, October 31, 1 - 4 p.m.
Capital budgeting task force and fees
Thursday, November 2, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Public safety
Tuesday, November 21, 9 a.m. to noon
Truth-in-taxation public meeting
Tuesday, November 28, 6 p.m. Participants can park for free after 5 p.m. in the Government Center ramp. Enter on 3rd Avenue.
Commissioner amendments
Thursday, November 30, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Commissioner amendments
Wednesday, December 6, 1 - 4 p.m.
County board vote on 2018 budget and levy
Tuesday, December 12, 1:30 p.m.
Current and archival board meetings, agendas and minutes are available online. View at www.hennepin.us/boardmeetings.
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Look for more news on
the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at www.hennepin.us/stories.
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